MOLLUSCS IN ARTESIAN WATER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12478, 18 April 1901, Page 6

MOLLUSCS IN ARTESIAN WATER.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, —I may inform your correspondent, " James Wylde," that the molluscs occurring in subterranean water have been described, and their history elucidated, in a superbly-illustrated essay on subterranean animals, by Pr Chilton, now of -Christchurch. The masterly essay was published in the " Transactions of the Simian Society, of London," seven years ago, and is perfectly illustrated with magnificent drawings of all the species of blind Crustacea found in the subterranean waters of the Canterbury Plains. A full history is also the moUusces referred to by Mr Wylde which also occur in the caves at Collingwood and in the subterranean, water at Ashburton, and many other parts of the Plains. Dr Chilton's work may be consulted in the PMlosopWcal Society's Library at the Canterbury Museum- Several other higher and more specialised forms of animals have also been described in splendidly illustrated essays by. Mr F.. E. Bed. dard, Prosector to the Zoological Society of London, from the underground water at Ashburton. Professor Haswell, of Sydney University, has recently described a remarkable subterranean aquatic planarian from the water of the Canterbury Plains. If Mr Wylde desires to consult any of these works, I would ibe pleased to lend them to him.—l am, etc., W. W. SMITH. - Ashburton, - April -.14.; •